Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children

Welcome to Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children, located at 15 Daly Street, Lower Hutt, New Zealand. As an establishment and point of interest, our institution is dedicated to creating the right environment for children to flourish, surrounded by the right people who nurture and support them.

Our primary focus is on supporting the wellbeing of children in New Zealand who are at significant risk of harm, both now and in the future. We also work with young people who may have offended or are likely to offend, providing them with the necessary guidance and support.

We value partnerships with Māori communities and are committed to promoting the safety, health, and resilience of vulnerable Aboriginal tamariki and rangatahi. Our Deputy Chief Executive, Darrin Haimona, recently spoke at the Aboriginal Children's Forum, further strengthening our commitment to collaboration and support.

Through our Oranga Tamariki Action Plan, we are working closely with the Ministry of Education to better support the educational needs of care-experienced tamariki and rangatahi. This collaborative effort aims to ensure that every child receives the necessary support and opportunities for success in school.

We also prioritize engagement with Pacific communities, as evidenced by our inaugural Pacific Fono held at Ngā Hau e Whā National marae, where we welcomed around 40 Pacific Community Providers and leaders from across Ōtautahi. This gathering allowed for meaningful discussions and collaboration to better serve the Pacific community.

We value your feedback and are always open to suggestions on how we can improve our services. Your experience with us matters, and we strive to continuously enhance our support for children and young people.

Our institution conducts extensive research and analysis to understand the harm and protective factors affecting children and young people in New Zealand. Through data-driven insights, we aim to address disparities and ensure the well-being of all tamariki.

Additionally, we have developed a comprehensive framework to measure disparities and disproportionality in the care and protection system, with a specific focus on tamariki Māori. This report highlights the challenges faced by this community and helps us develop targeted strategies to address these disparities.

The Practice Centre is an online resource specifically designed for Oranga Tamariki practitioners. It provides policy, guidance, and tools to assist in our work with tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau. Our policies serve as must-dos, while the guidance provides practical insights on how to effectively support those in our care.

We are proud to lead a new way of working that emphasizes support and care for tamariki who need it most. This shift in emphasis is an integral part of our commitment to changing the way Aotearoa New Zealand protects tamariki.

If you are a child or young person in care, we encourage you to connect with VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai, an independent advocacy service. They are here to listen, support, and be on your side, separate from Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children. They also organize engaging events for kids with care experience, providing opportunities for connection and fun.

At Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children, we are dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment for all children in New Zealand. Join us in our mission to support and protect tamariki, and together, we can make a positive difference in their lives.